"COLT SINGLE ACTION ARMY REVOLVER ALTERED ELMER KEITH SN 351868. Cal. 38 Spcl/357 Mag. Rare Elmer Keith owned Colt altered by the King Sight Company with an unusual 5-3/4" New Service 38 Spcl. bbl marked on left side that is also marked "&.357 MAGNUM". Cylinder is custom built with heavy walls to accomodate the magnum cartridge and has rebated chambers for the cartridge rim. It has the King mirrored ramp front sight and a Smith & Wesson style adjustable rear sight milled into top strap. It appears that it first had a fixed rear sight that was removed when the adjustable sight was installed. Ejector rod housing was modified slightly to accommodate the contour of the New Service bbl. Frame was altered with a floating spring, retracting firing pin with hammer face altered to accommodate the firing pin. Hammer spur is King's offset or cockeyed spur. It has a fully checkered custom trigger with an over-travel stop screw installed in rear web. It has a Colt Model 1860 Army back strap with trigger guard altered to fit. The trigger guard strap was somewhat thinned and trigger slot espanded to accommodate the wider trigger. Fitted with smooth walrus ivory 2-pc grips that have deep gold medallions with initials "E" on left side and "K" on right side. It also has had an action job giving it a crisp light break. Accompanied by a letter from renowned Colt authority, Dick Burdick, noting most of the above information and stating that it "is an extraordinary example of the finest custom pistol-smithing of the 1950 era. He states that it is his "belief that this work was done by the King Gun Sight Company on special order of Elmer Keith". In the next paragraph he states "It is interesting to note, this single action custom was done after WWII at the height of 'wild cat cartridge' and development of hight velocity and accurate cartridges. Keith, a well-published author on hunting & balistics, was very popular with hunters & shooters." Also accompanied by a Colt factory letter identifying this revolver with blue finish, 5-1/2" bbl, in 38 Colt and shipped to Harper & Reynolds Co., Los Angeles, CA, March 16, 1928 in a shipment of one revolver. CONDITION: Fine, as noted. Bbl & ejector rod housing retain 75-80% orig blue. Frame retains 25-35% case colors with strong color in sheltered areas. Grip frame & trigger guard are a gray/brown metal color. Most of screws have slipped slots. Walrus ivory grips have several age lines but are sound and retain a beautiful golden mellow color. Mechanics are crisp, brilliant shiny bore. 4-32071 (25,000-40,000)"
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